How do you use "who" and "whom" correctly?

Question

What is the difference between them? Is there a rule?

Answer 1

I didn't read the other answers, so sorry if this is redundant, but...

Whom is used when it is the object; who is used when it is the subject.

If you don't know what that means, don't worry about it. The subject is self-explanatory (but I'll explain it anyway). It is the subject of the sentence. It is usually the thing in the sentence that is doing an action or is being described. Subjects are in caps below:

The DOG went to the store.
HE is awesome.
The GIRL gave her book to the boy.

So if it is the subject, you use who. For example:

WHO went to the store?
WHO is awesome?
WHO gave her book to the boy?

If it is the object, like "boy" is in that last sentence, you use whom.

The girl gave the book to WHOM?
To WHOM should she give the book?

A good and easy way to help you remember also is by trying ot answer the question with either HE or HIM. If it is HE, use WHO. If it is HIM, use WHOM. You can remember because both HIM and WHOM end with an M.

So if it is... then you use...

WHO went to the concert? HE went to the concert.
I should ask WHOM? I will ask HIM.

And so on. Notice it is not "WHO should I ask." This is technically incorrect... but obviously we all talk like this so it is perfectly fine -- don't worry about it. But in formal writing, these are the rules. I hope I was helpful without being confusing!

Answer 2

The first answer is the best one: "whom" is only used in the objective case.

Who are you?
Do you know who I am?
...but...
To whom did you give the key?
I'd like to know for whom we're throwing this party.
etc.

In reality, though, this definition is "prescriptive" -- it prescribes a certain usage based on the rules that have been established. A "descriptive" analysis would show that "whom" is fading from the English language. Most people use "who" for subjects and objects in every situation, and this is likely to become more and more true as time goes on.

So use "whom" for indirect and direct objects if you've got a picky English teacher looking over your shoulder, but don't sweat it when you're in regular company. Using "whom" in those situations will probably have a different effect -- making people think you're pretentious.

Answer 3

There's a rule; but it's tricky--it takes getting used to.

Who and whom stand for some person or thing not being named straight on, for one of several reasons.
1. They belong to a category, so any member of that category will do.
2. They've been named before.
3. They're being talked about now, identified later.

As to the difference between these two pronouns, "who" is used whereever the person or thing named is the actor-noun in a sentence-, followed by a verb enacted--
I need someone who can get things done.
You know Billie--she's the one who bakes lemon pies
Who did you think could do the job--Bill or Frank?

But "whom" is used as the object of an actor noun and his verb of action, along with some relational form--to,from,for,against, on behalf of, in regard to, away from,toward, in, in spite of, because of, without, with etc.
I gave the book to the one whom I like best
or else I gave the book to him whom I like best.
Whom did you wish to speak to, Joe or Edna?
Louis is a good man, the one from whom I got my best
birthday present.

The use is absolutely regular otherwise, always.

Answer 4

Try exchanging the word who or whom with he or him. If you think him sounds right then use whom. I remember because they both end in m. Or the other way that works 90% of the time is if it follows the word "with, to or for" use whom.

Answer 5

Whom is a direct object. It often follows the word, "to", "with", "for" Whom is receiving action.

For example: To whom shall I give the prize? I'm not sure for whom this package is intended. With whom are you attending the party?

Answer 6

Who is used in the nominative case (ex: "Who are you?");
Whom is used in the objective case (ex: "To whom does this book belong?") . One easy way to remember is that you always use "whom" if there is a preposition preceeding it, as in the above example "to whom". If you studied english grammar in school (you should have in elementary), then you know that prepositions are words like "to" "of" "by". "Who" will always be used in the nominative case, as part of the subject of a sentence. It really is not hard. Just remember most subjects comes first in the sentence, and usually, the objective case phrases, like "open the door" or "by whom" will always come after the actual verb in the sentence.
Another example: "Who used the phone?" but "the phone was used by whom?" Note in these two questions, there is the first sentence using "who" as the subject (nominative case) of the sentence. The second example uses "whom" in the objective case, with it being the object of the preposition "by", the phrase "by whom" being the description of the verb "was used" (objective case, it describes the verb in more detail. Just always use "whom" objectively, and "who" nominatively. If this explanation does not help you, then I suggest you purchase an english grammar book at a bookstore, check one out at the local library. However, it is nice to have a book of your own to which you can refer when you need to seek help with your grammar. The english language can be confusing at times, but there are simple rules which you can always go by if you just study it and remember little helpful things like I just said, nominative, "who" and objective, "whom". I hope this helps you. I do not know how old you are, but I do feel that some of our children today are not being taught their proper grammar in school, the way we were. Sure, it was drilled into us year after year in elementary school, but I was glad later on in life that I had good teachers who helped me and were very strict even with regard to our proper oral speech during school hours, and we were graded on our usage in the teacher's presence and our socializing with other students, if she was present. Therefore, it comes naturally to me to use proper language when I speak, and if I sometimes make a mistake, even now, I remember what my teachers would have said, and correct myself mentally.

Answer 7

Mustard is a secret bulge-buster. It boosts your metabolism and will increase natural ephadrine, the hormone that will burns fat. According to Jeya Henry, professor of human nutrition with Oxford Brookes University, just a tablespoon as part of your food can reduce a flabby waist by 20 percent!

Answer 8

Who is a subject, whom is a direct object. When you need a subject, you use Who. Otherwise, use whom.

Answer 9

Go bland. Plain, simple, unseasoned food such as barbequed chicken, plain rice and a bare baked potato are nutritious however your palette will tire of these individuals quickly, unlike salty moreish highly processed food, which keeps you snacking and piling on the pounds.

Answer 10

how is the word whom used. that is the teacher whom I like bets